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Jimmy Withers was born in a Christian home on April 18, 1952, one of five children and the only son of Weldon and Wilma Withers. It was a Christian home where Christ was taught, loved and lived. The Withers family attended Calvary Baptist Church in Grand Prairie, Texas, where Dr. Earl K. Oldham was pastor. At age 12, Jimmy was born again and at age 20 he surrendered to the Gospel ministry. Jimmy's education includes Mountainview Community College, Arlington Baptist College, post graduate work at BMA Theological Seminary and numerous seminars. Upon graduation from Arlington Baptist in 1976, he became Minister of Youth and Music at the Calvary Baptist Church in Palestine.
In Palestine, Jimmy met the love of his life, Brenda Sims. They were married and now have 2 sons, Joshua 31, Jacob 21, a daughter named April and 4 grandsons named Cade, Kale, Jeston and Tyler. In 1987 the Lord called Brenda and Jimmy to pastor Aurora Baptist Church, where they still live and have ministered faithfully. God has richly blessed the ministry at Aurora with over 3,000 souls being saved and over 1,500 baptized in the past 23 years. The Church has grown from 27 to 500 on Sundays with a high attendance this past year of 1,287. Aurora Baptist Church has successfully negotiated numerous building programs under his leadership and now enjoys state of the art facilities totaling 35,000 sq. ft. He speaks frequently at Fellowships, Marriage Retreats, Men's Conferences, Camps, Conventions, Churches, Public School and Christian School Assembles. Bro. Withers loves to preach, see souls saved and lives dedicated to the service of the Lord Jesus Christ. Contact:
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Rick Stokes - Associate Pastor & Pam Stokes - Administrative Assist. to Pastor/Ladies Ministry along with daughters Jennifer and Stefanie were called to Aurora Baptist Church in August 1995 as Youth Ministers. They came from Calvary Baptist Church in Grand Prairie, Texas, where they had attended and served in several different capacities including bus ministry and youth for many years. Rick was called into the ministry in his thirties at this church under Dr. Earl K. Oldham's ministry. He then attended and graduated from Arlington Baptist College. Rick's education also includes Troy State University, University of Texas at Arlington and Fort Worth Theological Seminary. Rick and Pam were raised in good, godly Christian homes and have strived to pass this heritage down to their children and children's children. Both of their dads were in the military so they grew up living all across the United States. However, Rick claims Alabama as his home state and Pam claims Texas. Rick and Pam love the LORD and His people and their heart's desire is to serve Him continually "with gladness." They reside in Haslet, Texas, and have two beautiful granddaughters named Lucy and Lilly, along with another on the way. God has richly blessed them during their tenure at Aurora. They love the people and are so thankful God sent them here.
Contact:
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Mitch Gearner – Music Minister, was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. Saved at age 9 and called to full-time ministry at age 12, Mitch has been involved in the music ministry of the churches he’s been a part of since 1966. Whether special music, youth choir directing or being a member in the church choir, his Christian life has been dedicated to church ministry. He began full-time vocational ministry in 1981 as Music and Youth Minister at Northside Baptist Church in Carrollton, Texas. Between 1988-1991, Mitch served on staff at Calvary Baptist Church, Grand Prairie, Texas, and Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas, before pastoring two churches, Crossroads Baptist Church in Duncan, Oklahoma and Pine Level Baptist Church in Starke, Florida from 1991-1999. In 2000, God moved Mitch and his wife, Kim, daughter, Shanna, and son, Kent, to Berean Baptist Church in Houston, Texas where he served as Music Minister until coming to Aurora in August 2009.
Here at Aurora, Mitch oversees the worship ministry, which includes worship leading, the worship band, the adult choir and the sound ministry. It is his heart to not only provide those attending the services with the opportunity to fully express worship to God as they sing a blend of traditional and contemporary worship music, but also to prepare their hearts and minds for the preaching of God’s Word.
Contact:
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John Stewart - Associate Pastor of Special Ministries, was born into a Pastor’s home. He was taught that the Lord’s work was not to be put in second place in his life. John, as a student at Lynchburg Baptist College, was saved in October of 1973. Shortly after accepting Christ John surrendered to full-time ministry. John has been doing Church Ministry since 1973. John was blessed to have 3 sons: His sons, Tim and Scottlan, along with their spouses and children, faithfully serve in their own local churches. Chris, his middle son, went home to be with the Lord in 1997. In 1982 the Lord opened the door for John to finish his degree. John received his B.A. in Music from Baptist Bible College in 1989. While a student at B.B.C., John served under the Music Minister at High Street Baptist Church and was given the honor of serving as Interim Music Minister for a year. He has served in full time staff positions since 1989 and has been on staff at Aurora Baptist Church since April of 1994. John’s desire is to see ministry become a part of every believer’s life in some way. John’s ministry responsibilities are to oversee DC4K, DC teen Rap-Up, DivorceCare, Pairs & Spares (Senior’s Ministry) and overseeing technology in the worship services. See John if you would like to participate or minister in any of these areas. Contact:
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Mike & Elonda Patterson - Jr. Church Directors are the perfect couple for a Children's Ministry in the Church. They have a heart for kids, a love for the Lord, a calling from God and a unique talent to work with children. For over 8 years Mike and Elonda have served the Lord at Aurora by working with our Elementary age children. They have developed an active and exciting JR. CHURCH where Christ is exalted and the Word of God is taught and preached. Children not only fall in love with the Lord...but they love Mike and Elonda as well. Mike was saved at the age of 12 and surrendered to the Lord's calling to work with children at age 13. Mike has actively pursued his calling since that day. Elonda was saved at age 16 and has been actively working with children and teens all her life. Both attended Arlington Baptist College with emphasis on Bible and Pedagogy. Currently the CHILDREN'S CENTER at Aurora Baptist Church is being redesigned to facilitate the spiritual and numerical growth in our children's ministry. Bible lessons with a salvation message are geared to a child's level with visual and technological tools used to enhance the teaching. Mike and Elonda have a God-given desire to see kids fall in love with Jesus. Your children will benefit from the vast experience and knowledge of these two dedicated servants of the Lord. |
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Andrew Vandergriff – He, Stacey and their daughter Judith have dedicated their lives to help spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. They encourage teens to begin and strengthen their relationship with Jesus. Andrew attended and graduated from Northwest High School and later earned his bachelor’s degree in Bible/Pastoral Ministries from Arlington Baptist College. Stacey received her diploma from Boyd High School and is a librarian at Northwest High School while their daughter Judith attends Chisolm Trail Middle School. By God’s mercy, Andrew began an incredible relationship with Jesus Christ. God began to stir in his heart about the need to minister to a culture in desperate need of Jesus Christ. In 1998 Andrew taught his first Sunday School class and in 2000 he began his tenure at Aurora Baptist Church and became the Student Pastor in 2002. 12 years of youth ministry experience has made a wonderful impact on the teens in Wise County. Andrew tries to establish and maintain a personal relationship with each student of his group and in doing so is able to lead them into a greater knowledge of the Lord and His Word. Andrew and Stacey are constantly available to any teen in need and sacrifices his time, energy and home to prove that. They are loved and respected by all of his students and they love each one of them with the love of Jesus and will continue to be amazing examples of Christ.
Contact:
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Joel Pratt - Tech / Web - Mostly found behind the scenes, Joel has joined the ABC staff in hopes to expand the reach of various aspects such as the Internet ministry, which includes the maintainance and design of the ABC website, newsletters, advertising, and other related material. Joel was saved at an Iron Men conference in 2002 and that same year dedicated his life to the media ministry. |
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Kim Gearner - Director of Children's Ministries |
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